Calibrating Your

Compass to Academia

2015 Conference Report

Prepared by:

LaMisha Hill, PhD

Tina Novero, MPA
UCSF Multicultural Resource Center
For Correspondence please email:
LaMisha.Hill@ucsf.edu

Lourdes R. Guerrero, EdD, MSW

David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA
Clinical and Translational Science Institute

2015 Conference Agenda

Frid ay , A pril 17 th
4:00 5:00 pm

Arrival and Check-In

5:00 6:00 pm

Opening Ceremony: UC President Janet Napolitano

Dinner Reception: Hors doeuvres

6:00 8:00 pm

Session 1:
The Importance of Mentorship & Networking
Facilitator:
Vaneese Johnson
Mentorship Narratives: Monica McLemore, RN, MPH, PhD

S at urd ay , Ap ril 18 th
7:00 8:00 am

Yoga for Wellness: Anne Contreras, MACP, MFTi

Alternative: Independent Self-Care (Hike, Gym, Swim, etc.)

8:30 9:00 am

Breakfast

9:00 10:00 am

Session 2:
Presenters:

10:00 10:15 am

Break: 15 Minute Move & Groove

In Memoriam: Dr. Antronette Toni Yancey

10:15 11:45 am

Session 3:
Presenters:

11:45 12:00 pm

Group Photograph

12:00 1:00 pm

Lunch

1:00 2:00 pm

Session 4:
Mapping Your Course to the Academy
(Students only; Faculty breakout session in Mariposa room)
Facilitator:
Laurence Clement, PhD

2:00 3:00 pm

Session 5:
Cultivating Sustainable Success
(Student only; Faculty continue in Mariposa Room)
Facilitator:
Neesha Patel, PhD

3:00 4:00 pm

Session 6:
Presenters:

4:00 6:00 pm

Break

6:00 7:00 pm

Dinner:

Keynote Address Kathleen Kennedy, PharmD

7:00 8:30 pm

Session 7:

Speechless

Chartering Your UC Faculty-Track Career

Rene Chapman Navarro, MD, PharmD
Sharon Youmans, PharmD, MPH, BCPS

Destination Academia
Mahasin Mujahid, PhD, MS
Alicia Fernandez, MD
JoAnn Trejo, PhD

Setting Your Sails Toward Research

Nalo Hamilton, PhD, MSN, WHNP/ANP-BC
Christine Wildsoet, PhD, FAAO, FARVO
Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, MD

2015 Conference Agenda cont.

S und ay , A pr il 19 th
7:00 8:00 am

Independent Self-Care (Hike, Gym, Swim, etc.)

8:30 9:00 am

Student Breakfast in Main Ballroom

Faculty Breakfast in Mariposa room

9:00 10:00 am

Session 8:
Skills in the ART of Delivering Effective Feedback
Presenter: Denise Davis, MD, FAACH
(Students only; Faculty breakout session in Mariposa room)

10:00 11:30 am

Session 9:

Navigating Academia as a Woman of Color

Part 1: Internal & External Barriers to Women of Color

Moderator:
Maria Elena Ruiz, PhD, RN, FNP-BC
Presenters:
Ashaunta Anderson, MD, MPH, MSHS
Kupiri Ackerman-Barger, PhD, RN
Lillian Cruz-Orengo, PhD
Part 2: Narratives & Strategies from Faculty of Color
Small Group Activity
11:30 12:00 pm

Hotel Check-Out

12:00 1:00 pm

Lunch: Inspirational Keynote Sandra Hernndez, MD

1:00 1:55 pm

Session 10:
Panelists:

1:55 2:00 pm

Closing Remarks & Grand Raffle Prize LaMisha, Hill, PhD

2:15 pm

Airport Shuttle Departs Hotel

Leadership Panel Finding Your North Star

Rene Chapman Navarro, MD, PharmD
Emma Simmons, MD
Kathleen Kennedy, PharmD
Sharon Youmans, PharmD, MPH, BCPS

Background
UCDPI Mission

To encourage women from underrepresented minority groups in the

training pipeline at University of
California Health Science campuses to
pursue and enter faculty-track health
science careers by participating in the
UC Diversity Pipeline Initiative.

To create and leverage the experience

and expertise of an inter-professional
group of faculty women across the
University of California Health Sciences
system for enhancing recruitment,
retention and advancement of women
and women of color in the health
sciences.

Over 484 UC women

have participated in
UCDPI since its start in
2007.

Diversity of UC Health Sciences

Faculty and Academic Appointees

UCDPI Vision

To attain greater diversity in academia

as a means to excellence.

To foster an inclusive and supportive

institutional climate whereby all health
science students and faculty can
achieve their full academic potential.

Diversity in the Health Sciences Facts

The report University of California Faculty

Diversity in the Health Sciences, released in
June 2008, shows that fewer than 5% of
tenure track faculty in the health sciences are
URM women.
Title Group: Ladder-rank & equiv.

Background
The UC Diversity Pipeline Initiative began in 2007 as a means of addressing faculty diversity in the health
sciences in order for the University of California to meet its obligation as a leader in teaching, research
and clinical care. The initiative has organized an annual 3-day conference for female students of color
pursuing health science careers focused on giving them the information, skills and motivation necessary
to consider a career in academia. From 2007 to 2013, over 425 women of color have participated in this
conference.

Conference Curriculum
The 2015 conference was held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Berkeley Marina, Berkeley California from
April 17-19. In total, 98 attendees representing students, faculty, presenters/guest speakers, and
guests participated in the conference. The conference theme, Calibrating Your Compass to
Academia, was chosen to highlight the journey that students are currently on while placing future
opportunities in academia on their career course. The curriculum was curated from didactic and
experiential teaching methods. Utilizing a multicultural framework, the sessions were grounded in
professional development, interpersonal relationship building, and mentorship. However, the most
powerful moments came from faculty, students, and presenters candidly sharing their stories
surrounding the intersection of their identities and the impact various aspects of scholarship,
research, and career development.
The planning committee distributed a post-conference evaluation to the student participants and
received a 63% response rate (37/59). Results from each of the conference sessions, and faculty
and student information are presented in the following sections.

Photo: Dr. Emma Simmons (UC Riverside, Medicine) captures a picture of students posing
with Dr. Catheryn Nation (UCOP).
5

Student Reported Outcomes

10 0% (38/38) of students reported that the conference met or exceeded their expectations in
int erac tin g w ith d iv ers e role m od els .
95 % (36/38) of students reported that the conference met or exceeded their expectations in
lea rning ab out a cad em ia an d t he pa th wa y t o a n a cad em ic c areer .
97 % (37/38) of students reported that the conference met or exceeded their expectations in
lea rning how to na vig ate th e b ar riers that e xis t for w om en of c olor in acad e mia .
92 % (35/38) of students reported that the conference met or exceeded their expectations in
M ee ting and inte racting with p eers in o the r h ealth pro fe ss ion s.
84 % (31/37) of students reported that the conference met or exceeded their expectations in
Ga ining info rm ation on differen t care er pa ths and th e c hallen ges an d opportunities in
ea ch.
One a scale of 1 (not interested) to 5 (very interested), s tu de nts interes t in an ac ad em ic
ca reer im p rov ed from 2.61 pr ior to th e c onfere nce, to 4.03 after the con fer ence .
81 % (30/37) of students reported their ch ance s of p ur su ing a ca reer in aca de m ic healt h
scien ces a s eit her ex cellen t o r g ood .
92 % (35/38) of students reported that the co nfe renc e p ro vid ed g reater clarity ab ou t th e
ac ad em ic care er pa th .
10 0% (38 /38 ) ra te d th e confere nce as eith er v ery go od or e xc ellen t .

Photo: Dr. Chris Wildsoet and Students from

UC Berkeley School of Optometry

Session 1: The Importance of Mentorship & Networking

Facilitated by V ane es e Jo hns on (On the Move Careers,
Inc.), this session served as the high energy opening activity.
Ms. Johnson drew from principles of career development,
mentorship, and networking. Exercises included developing a
personal branding statement, networking bingo, and a
personal testimony from D r. M onica M cLe mo re (UCSF,
Nursing) about the role mentorship played in her faculty
journey.
Ninety-seven percent of conference participants (36/37) that
completed the post-conference survey rated Vaneese Johnson
as either very good or excellent. In addition, 89% found the
information presented to be useful at a very good or
excellent degree. Finally, 75% of participants found that the
information presented increased their interest in a facultytrack career to a very good or excellent degree.

Photo: Vaneese Johnson with UC Berkeley SOPH

Student Kalechi Uwaezuoke

Session 2: Chartering Your UC Faculty-Track Career

Utilizing current statistics from UC Data and
national findings, D r. R en e N av arro (UCSF)
discussed the disparate representation of female
academics in the health sciences faculty-rank
positions.

D r.

S ha ron

Y oum an s

(UCSF)

explained the UC faculty rank-ladder-step system

and ways one can successfully navigate the
process to achieve tenure.
Ninety-two percent of conference participants who
completed

the

survey

(33/36)

rated

this

presentation to be useful at either a very good or

Photo: Dr. Sharon Youmans (UCSF, Pharmacy)

excellent degree. Secondly, 86% of participants

found that the information presented increased
their interest in a faculty-track career to a very
good or excellent degree. Finally, 94% of
participants rated the presenters as either very
good or excellent.

Session 3: Destination Academia

Drawing

from

the

wealth

of

knowledge from our UC Faculty, this

collaborative

session

brought

together D rs . A licia Fern and ez

(UCSF),
Berkeley),
(UCSD).

M ah as in
and
Each

M uja hid
JoAn n

faculty

(UC
Trejo

member

shared aspects of their journey to

academia

drawing

on

personal

narratives as women of color and

scholars. A panel discussion followed
the individual presentations.

Photo (left to right): Drs. Mahasin Mujahid , Alicia Fernandez, and

JoAnn Trejo

Ninety-four percent of conference participants (34/36) rated this presentation to be useful at either a
very good or excellent degree. In addition, 89% of participants found that the information
presented increased their interest in a faculty-track career to a very good or excellent degree.
Finally, 97% of participants rated the presenters as either very good or excellent.

Session 4: Mapping Your Course to the Academy

As an opportunity to engage in a more personalized
exploration of career trajectory, D r. L aure nce C lem e nt
(UCSF, Office of Career & Professional Development),
facilitated a session on career development. Specifically,
students were guided through an individualized career plan
to chart an academic pathway unique to their profession or
career goals.
Eighty-two

percent

of

conference

participants

who

completed the survey (28/34) rated this presentation to be

useful at either a very good or excellent degree. Sixtyeight percent of participants found that the information
presented increased their interest in a faculty-track career to
a very good or excellent degree. Finally, 91% of
participants rated the presenter as either very good or
excellent.
Photo: Dr. Laurence Clement (UCSF OCPD)

Session 5: Cultivating Sustainable Success

A key-component to any successful
career is balance. In addition, as
health

science

understand

the

professionals

we

importance

of

wellness and self-care. D r. N ees ha

P at el

(UCSF,

First

Generation

Support Services) explored themes of

mindfulness

and

compassion

to

ground student participants in a

holistic practice.

Photo: Students express compassion to each other during

mindfulness exercises.

Sixty-seven percent of conference participants who completed the survey (24/36) rated this
presentation to be useful at either a very good or excellent degree. Fifty percent of participants
found that the information presented increased their interest in a faculty-track career to a very
good or excellent degree. Finally, 72% of participants rated the presenter as either very good
or excellent.

Session 6: Setting Your Sails Towards Research

For many faculty-track careers, scholarly research is an integral component to larger picture; however,
there are many assumptions surrounding research as being time consuming, difficult to manage or
harder than other academic responsibilities, or not as exciting in comparison to other clinical
activities. D rs . Kirs te n B ib bin s-D om ing o (UCSF), N alo H am ilt on (UCLA), and C hris tin e
W ildsoe t (UC Berkeley) debunked myths surrounding research and discussed their passions related
to health disparities, various disorders, and their contributions to the health science field at large.
Eighty-seven percent of conference
participants
survey

who

(30/35)

completed

the

rated

this

presentation to be useful at either a

very good or excellent degree.
Eighty-two percent of participants
found that the information presented
increased their interest in a facultytrack career to a very good or
excellent degree. Finally, 91% of
participants rated the presenters as
Photo (left to right): Drs. Christine Wildsoet, Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, and
Nalo Hamilton

either very good or excellent.

Session 7: Speechless
Speechless, a San Francisco-Based performance art and improve company, used the power of the
stage and comedy to tap into participants public speaking skills. In Speechless, the standard
PowerPoint is given a new twist and participants are required to deliver an off-the-cuff presentation on
a deck of random PowerPoint slides.
Eighty-six percent of conference
participants
survey

who

(30/36)

completed

the

rated

this

presentation to be useful at either a

very good or excellent degree.
Seventy-one percent of participants
found that the information presented
increased their interest in a facultytrack career to a very good or
excellent degree. Finally, 94% of
participants rated the presenters as

Photo: Jean Calvo and Nicole LaMantia (UCSF, Dentistry) team-up to deliver
and epic performance.

either very good or excellent.

Session 8: Skills in the ART of Delivering Effective Feedback

A lifelong skill, navigating feedback can be a delicate process to learn and engage in as an emerging
professional. D r. D en ise D a vis (UCSF) lent her expertize on the subject, outlining foundations and
feedback processes while giving students and opportunity to role-play with each other.
Ninety-two

percent

of

conference

participants

who

completed the survey (33/36) rated this presentation to be

useful at either a very good or excellent degree. Seventyone percent of participants found that the information
presented increased their interest in a faculty-track career to
a very good or excellent degree. Finally, 97% of
participants rated the presenters as either very good or
excellent.

Photo: Dr. Denise Davis (UCSF, Medicine)

10

Session 9: Navigating Academia as a Woman of Color

This two-part session combined didactic presentations on stereotype threat, microaggressions, racial
socialization, and linguistic profiling with small group break-out discussions. Drs. Ku piri Ac ke rm anBa rg er (UC Davis), Asha unta And erso n (UC Riverside), and Lillian C ru z-Or engo (UC Davis)
facilitated the didactic presentations. The collective contingency of faculty advisors facilitated the
small group break-out discussions to identify strategies to manage the intersectionalities of multiple
identities as emerging professionals.
Ninety-seven percent of conference participants who completed the survey (33/37) rated this
presentation to be useful at either a very good or excellent degree. Eighty-six percent of participants
found that the information presented increased their interest in a faculty-track career to a very good or
excellent degree. In addition, 97% of participants rated the presenters as either very good or
excellent.

Photo: Dr. Kupiri Ackerman-Barger

(UC Davis, Nursing) takes notes on
strategies for student support.

Session 10: Leadership Panel Finding Your North Star

The final session was an opportunity for faculty leadership to share their perspectives on their North
Star, or guide to success. Panelist included Drs. Ka thle en Ken ned y (Xavier, NOLA), Re ne
N av arro (UCSF), E m m a Sim m o ns (UC Riverside), and S haro n Yo um an s (UCSF).
Eighty-six percent of conference participants who completed the survey (30/35) rated this presentation
to be useful at either a very good or excellent degree. Seventy-nine percent of participants found
that the information presented increased their interest in a faculty-track career to a very good or
excellent degree. In addition, 98% of participants rated the presenters as either very good or
excellent.

Photo (left to right): Drs. Emma Simmons (UCR), Rene Navarro (UCSF),
Kathleen Kennedy (Xavier, NOLA), and Sharon Youmans (UCSF)

11

Keynotes
In addition to the curriculum sessions, The UC Diversity Pipeline Initiative Conference was enhanced
by the generosity of our three featured keynote presenters: J ane t Na p olita no (University of
California President); D r. Ka thle en Ke nne dy (Dean of the College of Pharmacy, Xavier New
Orleans); and D r. S an d ra H ernn d ez (President and CEO, California HealthCare Foundation).
These speakers graced conference attendees with words of wisdom brought from a wealth of
experience and years of service.

So down to earth, and loved

her compelling stories. Overall
this conference was excellent!
The organizers did an
awesome job!!
Photo (left to right): UC President Janet
Napolitano, and Drs. LaMisha Hill (UCSF) and
Rene Navarro (UCSF)

Dr. Kennedy's story was really

inspiring. Such resilience on a
winding journey really makes you
believe that all things are possible!

Photo: Dr. Kathleen Kennedy (Xavier, NOLA) poses

with UC Student

It was fantastic to sit in

audience with a female
leader who is managing
an entire health
system...AND a family
life. Bringing in leaders
of this caliber helps
remind us that we can
have it all!
Photo (left to right): Drs. LaMisha
Hill (UCSF), Rene Navarro
(UCSF), Maria Elena Ruiz (UC
Davis), and Sandra Hernndez
(CA Healthcare Foundation)

12

Additional Conference Highlight:

Tribute to Dr. Antronette Toni Yancey
During the 2015 Conference we took a special moment to honor the legacy of Dr. Antronette Toni
Yancey (1957 2013). Dr. Yancey was a professor at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, and
co-founder for the UCLA-Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Equity. She was a contributing member
to First Lady Michelle Obamas Lets Move Campaign, and author of the book Instant Recess, which
encouraged fitness through ten-minute bursts of physical activity. We celebrated the memory of Dr.
Yancey and her contributions to UCDPI and beyond through movement and dance.

Photo: Dena Bullard (UCOP) paying tribute to Dr. Yancey

Photo: Conference attendees Move & Groove to Happy by Pharell Williams

13

Faculty
18 UC Faculty from six UC campuses representing various health science disciplines and specialties
served as faculty mentors during the 2015 UCDPI Conference. Faculty also participated in two facultyonly break-out sessions. Faculty had the opportunity to engage in relationship building and mentoring
across the faculty pipeline.
Fa culty P articip ants :
Ku pir i Ac ke rm an-Ba rg er, UC Davis, Nursing

M ah as in M u jahid , UCB, Public Health

Asha unta And erson , UC Riverside, Medicine

Re nee N avarro , UCSF, Medicine

Kirsten Bib b ins-D om ing o, UCSF, Medicine

M aria O rellana , UCSF, Dentistry

Lillian C ru z-Or engo , UC Davis Veterinary Med.

N anc y Re ifel, UCLA, Dentistry

D enis e D av is , UCSF, Medicine

M aria E len a R uiz , UCLA, Nursing

Alic ia F erna nd ez, UCSF, Medicine

E m m a Sim m o ns , UC Riverside, Medicine

N alo H am ilt on, UCLA, Nursing

J oAn n Trejo, UCSD, Medicine

Aisha M ays, UCSF, Medicine

C hris tine W ildo se t, UCB, Optometry

M on ica M cLem o re, UCSF, Nursing

S haro n Yo um an s, UCSF, Pharmacy

Photo: Dr. Maria Orellana and Students from

UCSF School of Dentistry

Photo: Dr. Lillian Cruz-Orengo and Students

from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine

14

Students
Fifty-nine students participated in the 2015 UCDPI conference. The tables below show the
demographics of student participants by race/ethnicity, UC campus and professional school.

S tu de nt P art icip ant s b y E t hnic it y

Ra ce/E thn icity
N um b er
African American
17
Asian/Pacific Islander/Asian
10
American
Caucasian
4
Latino/Latino American
17
Multiracial/Multiethnic
8
Other (Iranian, Native
3
American, Pilipino)

S tu de nt P art icip at ion b y C am p us

U C C a m pu s
UC Berkeley
UC Davis
UC Irvine
UC Los Angeles
UC Riverside
UC San Diego
UC San Francisco

N um b er
7
11
3
12
4
6
16

S tu de nt P art icip at ion b y P rof es sio nal Sc hoo l

P rof es sio nal S choo l P rog ra m
N um b er
Dentistry
9
Medicine
24
Nursing
9
Pharmacy
7
Public Health
5
Optometry
2
Veterinary Medicine
3

15

Student Roster
Alena Larios, UCLA, Dentistry
Allyson Taylor, UCLA, Dentistry
Annie Hernandez, UCLA, Medicine
Ashley Jackson, UCSF, Pharmacy
Axeline Maisonet, UCLA, Medicine
Blanca Camacho, UC Davis, Veterinary Medicine
Cassondra Marshall, UC Berkeley, Public Health
Cecille Basilio, UCLA, Nursing
Charisma Urbiztondo, UCSF, Pharmacy
Chiara Maruggi, UC Riverside, Medicine
Cristina Coronado, UCSD, Medicine
D Nysha Chagwedera, UCSF, Medicine
Denise Tirado, UC Berkeley, Optometry
Elizabeth Roderick, UCSD, Medicine
Folashade Wolfe-Modupe, UCSF, Medicine
Graal Ventura Diaz, UCLA, Nursing
Heather Palomino, UCSD, Medicine
Jackline Githinji, UCSF, Pharmacy
Jean Calvo, UCSF, Dentistry
Jennifer Han, UC Riverside, Medicine
Jolie Goodman-Leibof, UCSF, Dentistry
Julia Mwangi, UCSF, Pharmacy
Justine Abella, UCSD, Pharmacy
Karryssa Fenderson, UC Davis, Veterinary Medicine
Kasee Houston, UCLA, Medicine
Kathyrn Salvadora, UCSF, Pharmacy
Kelechi Uwaezuoke, UC Berkeley, Public Health
Krystal Jimenez, UC Irvine, Medicine
Lana Nguyen, UC Irvine, Nursing

Lauren Aragon, UC San Diego, Pharmacy

Leila Magistrado, UC Riverside, Medicine
Lilia Sanchez, UC Davis, Medicine
Maisha Davis, UCSF, Medicine
Margaret Suda, UCSF, Nursing
Maryin Altamirano, UC Riverside, Medicine
Megan Lopez, UC Berkeley, Optometry
Michelle Albin, UC Davis, Veterinary Medicine
Minerva Loi, UCSF, Dentistry
Misty Montoya, UCSF, Medicine
Mona Nejad, UCSF, Dentistry
Monique McDermoth, UCLA, Medicine
Nancy Ortiz, UC Berkeley, Public Health
Nancy Rivera, UC Davis, Medicine
Nhu Tran, UCLA, Nursing
Nicole Bui, UCLA, Dentistry
Nicole LaMantia, UCSF, Dentistry
Norlissa Cooper, UCSF, Nursing
Ogechukwu Agatha Offorjebe, UCLA, Medicine
Ogorchukwu Olele, UCLA, Dentistry
Rohini Jain, UC Davis, Medicine
Roneka Muhammed, UC Davis Nursing
Ruth Legesse, UC Davis, Medicine
Sabrina Owens, UCSD, Medicine
Sandra Calderon, UC Davis, Nursing
Sarah Garcia, UC Davis, Nursing
Vicky Gomez, UC Berkeley, Public Health
Victoria Benson, UC Berkeley, Public Health,
Yolanda Tinajero, UC Davis, Medicine
Yvonne Little, UC Irvine, Medicine

Photo: Drs. Nalo Hamilton and Maria Elena Ruiz (Middle) pose with UC Nursing Students

16

Next Steps
v Utilize social media (e.g., Facebook and LinkedIn) to maintain contact with conference
participants, continue to share information on resources, and track alumni career placement
overtime.
v Finalize budget and distribute remaining resources to fund on-campus follow-up mentorship
sessions with faculty mentors and student participants.
v Continue to evaluate the efficacy of UCDPI through longitudinal data analysis of outcome
measures and surveying conference alumni career placement.
v Identify sustainable and efficacious ways to bolster the UC pipeline of URM-Women in the
academic health sciences.

17

Sponsors
UC Office of the President
Division of Health Sciences and Services
Academic Personnel and Programs
The California HealthCare Foundation, based in Oakland, California
Kaiser Permanente, Northern California
UC San Francisco Clinical and Translational Science Institute
UC San Francisco Office of Diversity and Outreach
UC Health Sciences Deans from:
UC Berkeley School of Optometry
UC Berkeley School of Public Health
UC Davis School of Medicine
UC Davis School of Nursing
UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
UC Irvine School of Medicine
UC Irvine School of Nursing
UC Los Angeles School of Dentistry
UC Los Angeles School of Medicine
UC Los Angeles School of Nursing
UC Riverside School of Medicine
UC San Diego School of Medicine
UC San Diego School of Pharmacy
UC San Francisco School of Dentistry
UC San Francisco School of Medicine
UC San Francisco School of Nursing
UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy

Additional acknowledgements are extended to the UCLA School of Dentistry for the oversight
of their contribution on the original conference program.